|
CMV Pneumonia
What is CMV - Pneumonia . . . Cytomegalovirus (CMV) pneumonia
is an infection of the lungs that usually occur in people
who have a suppressed immune system.
Causes of CMV
CMV pneumonia is caused by a member of a group of herpes-type
viruses. Infection with CMV is very common. Most healthy adults
have antibodies (indicating previous infection) to CMV in
their blood.
Usually CMV produces no symptoms, but serious CMV infections
can occur in people with impaired immunity from conditions
such as:
- AIDS
- Bone marrow transplant
- Organ transplant
- Chemotherapy or other treatments that suppress the immune
system
In people who have had organ and bone marrow transplants,
the risk of infection is greatest 5 - 13 weeks after the transplant.
Symptoms
- Cough
- Fatigue
- Fever
- General discomfort, uneasiness, or ill feeling
- Loss of appetite
- Muscle aches or joint pains
- Shortness of breath
- Shortness of breath on exertion
- Sweating, excessive night sweats
Low oxygen levels in the blood (hypoxemia) with CMV pneumonia
often predicts death, especially in patients who need mechanical
ventilation.
Exams and Tests
Arterial blood gas
Blood culture
Blood tests to detect and measure substances specific to CMV
infection
Bronchoscopy with biopsy
Chest x-ray
Urine culture (clean catch)
Treatment
The objective of treatment is to stop the virus from copying
in the body through the use of antiviral drugs. Some people
will need to get intravenous medication through a vein. Some
people might initially need oxygen therapy and breathing support
with a ventilator to maintain oxygen until the infection is
brought under control.
Outlook . . . Prognosis
Antiviral medications stop the virus from copying itself,
but do not destroy it. CMV itself suppresses the immune system,
and may increase the risk of other infections due to the additional
immunosuppression.
Possible Complications
Complications of CMV infection in people with AIDS include:
- CMV pneumonia
- Intestinal disease
- Infectious, mononucleosis-like illness (CMV mononucleosis)
- Inflammation of the retina (CMV retinitis)
CMV also increases the replication of HIV in people who
are infected.
Complications of CMV pneumonia include:
- Kidney impairment (from drugs used to treat the condition)
- Low white blood cell count (from drugs used to treat
the condition)
- Overwhelming infection that doesn't respond to treatment
- Relapse of infection
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of CMV
pneumonia.
Prevention
The following have been shown to help prevent CMV pneumonia
in certain patients:
- Using organ transplant donors who don't have CMV
- Using CMV-negative blood products for transfusion
- Using CMV-immune globulin in certain patients
Preventing AIDS avoids opportunistic diseases, including
CMV, that can occur in people who have a damaged or poorly
functioning immune system.
|
